Chapter 8 - A Conversation in the Nursery
At ten o'clock, the estate was entirely dark save for the warm, dim nightlight illuminating the third-floor nursery.
Julian pushed the heavy door open gently.
Teresa was sitting in the rocking chair near the crib, wearing a simple gray cardigan over her jeans, holding a leather-bound textbook in her lap. She was studying for her upcoming child psychology exam.
In the wooden crib beside her, Leo was sleeping peacefully on his stomach, his small hands curled into tiny fists against the mattress.
Julian walked in silently, stepping around the soft woolen rug.
"You should be resting, Teresa," Julian said quietly, sitting down on the small ottoman across from her.
Teresa closed her textbook and looked up at him. Her eyes were still somewhat soft with exhaustion, but the panic from earlier in the day was completely gone.
"I couldn't sleep, Mr. Vance," she whispered, glancing over at Leo. "I kept thinking about what would have happened if I hadn't gone up to that dressing room to get Leo's extra blanket."
Julian looked at her. He saw the genuine, unselfish care in her face—the complete absence of greed or pretense.
"You saved my family today, Teresa," Julian said, his voice deep and sincere. "If you hadn't come to me, I would have signed those trust documents after the reception. I would have spent years trying to fix a life built on a lie, and Leo would have been the one to pay the price."
Teresa shook her head gently. "You don't have to thank me, Mr. Vance. I love Leo. I’ve cared for him since he was six weeks old. I couldn't let anyone hurt him."
Julian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, thick envelope, placing it on the small table beside her textbook.
Teresa looked at the envelope, her brow furrowing. "What’s this?"
"That is a full trust fund for your university education," Julian said smoothly. "Four years of tuition, housing, and expenses, fully covered under an independent educational account."
Teresa’s eyes widened in shock. She immediately pushed the envelope back toward him. "No! Mr. Vance, no! I can't take that! I didn't tell you about Victoria to get money!"
"I know you didn't," Julian said, placing his hand gently over the envelope to stop her. "That’s precisely why you’re getting it."
He looked over at his sleeping son.
"You gave my son safety today," Julian continued. "You gave him a father who isn't compromised by a fraudulent marriage. Four years of tuition is nothing compared to what you protected."
Teresa looked down at her hands, tears welling in her eyes once again, but this time they were tears of quiet relief. "Thank you, Mr. Vance."
"And one more thing," Julian added, standing up from the ottoman.
Teresa looked up.
"Your title at this estate is no longer nanny," Julian said smoothly. "Starting tomorrow, you are the Director of Household Operations and Child Development for the Vance Estate. Your salary is doubled, and you will have full authority over who enters this house."
May you like
Teresa let out a small, breathless laugh. "Director?"
"Director," Julian confirmed, a soft, genuine smile appearing on his face for the first time all day. "I trust your judgment implicitly, Teresa. Far more than I ever trusted mine."
